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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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A noticeable difference in kernels? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 4 days ago by tetris11@lemmy.ml to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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I have the following kernels installed:

linux-zen (Zen)
linux-rt (RealTime)
linux-hardened (Security Hardened)
linux-lts (Long Term Support)
linux-tr-lts (Realtime LTS)

When I boot up, I try the different kernels from time to time just to see if anything interesting happens. It never does.

My question: How do I actually physically notice the difference between these kernels? If I use RT, does Firefox spawn quicker (in my testing, no, not really)?

What are some use cases when I can really see the difference in these kernels?

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[–] UnfortunateShort@lemmy.world 4 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Zen and "mainline" (default/vanilla) are generally fine for "desktop use" and gaming. Zen is basically the mainline kernel with some tweaks. They are mostly concerned with latency, reducing the maximum time a process can spend blocking the processor - among other things.

This can lead to less input lag or a "smoother" desktop experience, but overall performance is as good as mainline at most. Slightly worse in some scenarios.

Hardned is a tradeoff afaik. You will stay behind mainline a bit, but get extra hardening. This can also impact performance, but rarely does in a meaningful way. If you don't have any specific reason to use it, e.g. you carry it around on a laptop with sensitive data, I would look at other ways to harden my system first (firewall, encryption, access control, anti-virus, sandboxing, VPN...).

Pretty much the same goes for LTS, but with the focus more on stability than security.

RT is only for special applications.